Annoyed David Moyes re-opens touchline ban debate after first Sunderland win at Bournemouth

Roy Kelly

David Moyes has re-opened the debate over his one-match touchline ban - after serving his punishment in the dramatic 2-1 victory at Bournemouth.

The Black Cats boss watched from the main stand at Dean Court after admitting a charge of improper conduct at Sunderland's last visit to the south coast.

On that evening at St Mary's,he was banished to the stand by referee Christopher Kavanagh who had incensed the Cats manager by away Sunderland's appeals for a foul on Victor Anichebe in the penalty area late in the EFL Cup exit.

Moyes admitted swearing at the fourth official which meant he was among the 11,084 crowd yesterday when, this time, a foul on Anichebe in the area brought a match-winning 74th-minute from Jermain Defoe.

Asked how he found the experience, the Scot said: "The bigger question should be what was the reason I was sent to the stand?

"The reason I was sent to the stand was because of a poor decision.

"We [managers] only get out of line if something really antagonises us.

"Maybe the people who are making the mistakes are not getting punished themselves?"

Moyes was allowed in the dressing room before the game and at half-time and he did cope for the 90-odd minutes during play.

"I was screaming from the stand!" smiled the Scot who had Robbie Stockdale in the technical area passing on instructions from up above.

Moyes was proud of the 14 men who took to the field in a match which threatened to get away from his side after Steven Pieenaar was sent off just before the hour.

Ironically, Sunderland had started the second half as they had ended the first, on top, only for the complexion of the contest to change after Mike Dean dismissed the midfielder.

"The hardest period was after we lost Steven," explained Moyes who thought the 34-year-old was unlucky to see red.

"We were in a bit of disarray, we were trying to find the best way of finding an attacking presence on the pitch but also, because we were down to 10 men, the best way to defend.

"We kept two strikers on and we used them as a way of trying to get up the pitch and it worked for us in the end.

"We were brave enough to do that."

That bravery was rewarded by a first Premier League win since he became boss at the Stadium of Light, in his 11th match in charge.

Ryan Gosling had given the Cherries an 11th-minute lead but when Anichebe thumped his first Cats goal past Artur Boric 12 minutes before the break, Sunderland had a foothold. And when Adam Smith brought down the giant forward, Defoe beat the keeper from the spot.

"I'd nearly forgotten what it felt like to smile," Moyes joked.

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